Visitors to Our Blog:

Click here to visit "Virtual Sisters," the website for Lael, Nancy and Carroll, self-proclaimed Crusty Old Broads and Deseret Book bestselling authors.

Why Crusty Old Broads?

In our trilogy, "The Company of Good Women," a COB—a Crusty Old Broad—is a woman who, in the face of whatever life sends her way, "pulls up her socks and goes on." We all feel that we’ve pulled up our socks many times!

Who are the Crusty Old Broads?

Nancy Anderson’s writing has taken a back seat to raising five "intriguing" children and being grandma to eleven active grandchildren. Aside from family, her passion is gardening. Her lovely back yard has been the scene of many special neighborhood and family events.

Nancy says, "Writing Deenie’s story has been a delightful way to share my own experiences and the fictionalized stories of women I have known. Many thanks to my loving husband and supportive family."Nancy lives in Sandy, Utah, with her husband, Jim, and her dog, Pepper.

Lael Jensen Littke grew up on a farm in Mink Creek, Idaho, where she herded cows and dreamed of being a writer someday. She would live in a penthouse in New York City and wear glamorous leopardskin pants (Lael saw too many movies).

After graduation from Utah State University, she went to Denver to pursue a career, but instead met a young man named George Littke whom she married. When George received a fellowship to finish his doctoral studies at New York University, Lael knew her dreams were coming true. Forget the penthouse and leopardskin pants. She settled for an excellent writing teacher at City College of New York and before long began selling short stories. When the family, which now included a small daughter, moved to California, Lael found another outstanding writing teacher at Pasadena City College and got started writing novels for young adults and children.

Her credits now include more than 40 books for young people, plus a series of three women’s novels co-authored with Nancy Anderson and Carroll Morris. She says she needs to apply for a life extension because she has at least another 40 book ideas.

Her philosophy can be summed up in this anonymous quotation:

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow, what a ride!”

Carroll Morris says, "I remember I writing some poems in 4th grade. I gave them to my teacher, and she promptly lost them! The short story I wrote in sixth grade fared better: 'The Horse’s Grave' appeared in the grade-school paper, 'The Puppy Dog’s Tale.'"

After that, Carroll’s fledgling writing career went underground for thirty years, until she wrote her first novel. She’s been writing ever since then—fiction and self-help books because she loves them and catalog copy to help put four children through college.

Carroll and husband Gary, retired three years ago to Green Valley, Arizona.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Priming the Pump!

Priming the pump, gassing the engine, greasing the wheels; what ever metaphor you choose, every author knows what it's like to need a jump start when in a slump. I can't think of a better to get one than to attend a well run, well rounded, professional writer's convention where authors learn new concepts, are reminded of things they already know, and are encouraged by presenters and attenders alike to hone their craft.

LDStorymakers recent convention (see http://ldstorymakers.com/) for photos and reviews) hit the mark on all categories. The available classes ranged from beginner level to 2 hour master classes that engaged and informed us. Classes I attended that were eye-openers were "Researching and Writing Credible Historical Fiction" by LC Lewis, "Creating Your Character Bible" by J. Scott Savage and Deanne Blackhurst, "The Six Core Competencies of Successful Storytelling," Larry Brooks, and "Building Author/Editor Relationships That Build Careers" with Kirk Shaw.

LC Lewis (laurielclewis.com) took us neophyte researchers on a guided tour of what to research for a historic setting, how to do it, and how to document the results. This class was so informative that I would like to see it made into a master class next year including a list of the most helpful research sites compiled by participating authors.

Classes by Scott Savage (http://www.jeffreysavage.com/) are always a delight and we were swept along by his enthusiasm not to mention the huge amount of insight he give on creating three dimension characters, protagonist and antagonist as well secondary characters and walk-ons. Doing the exercises in his class led me to a slew of new discoveries about the main character of my next book. I thought I knew her. I know her so much better now. Thanks Scott and Deanne.

Larry Brooks( http://storyfix.com/)brought a highly structured interpretation of storytelling to his masters class. The thirsty left side of my brain sucked up the information like a clean sponge just out of the clothes dryer. Since my approach to just about everything is random abstract, I was surprised and pleased when the revelation of seeing the writing process from Larry's point of view unexpectedly created a blue print in my brain like the pigeon holes in an old post office. The storylines and character developments that have been floating around aimlessly in my head suddenly have a destination and are happily filing themselve where they belongs even as I write this blog. Fabjous day indeed!

As the youngest and least experienced writer in our trio of writing partners I have often bemoaned being the low dog on the totem pole when it came to writer/editor relationships. Kirk Shaw's ( http://kirks@covenant-lds.com )class was a clear call to be proactive in developing the an appropriate healthy relationship with any future editors I work with. I appreciated his explanation of what editors in today's market can and cannot do. Thanks for the insights, Kirk.

The best critique for the conference came from a friend who was attending for the first time in preparation for writing her first historical novel based on ten years of research. She was so excited and energized by the classes the first day she wanted to skip the second and get on with her writing. Wisely she held to the course and got full benefit from her attendance. As a university teacher of LDS literature she was also very impressed the the large variety of works available by LDS authors in the bookstore.

So hats off to all the fine folks who made the convention such a rousing success! The experience gave me the information I needed as well as the encouragement to pursue my next writing project. You did a fantastic job. I am already looking forward to next year.

Sister Site

On the Shelves Now!

The long awaited and fourth novel of Carroll Hofeling Morris and Nancy Anderson, Leaning into the Curves is now available at Deseret Book stores and through their online services. www.deseretbook.com

Leaning into the Curves

Molly is happy with her life the way it is, taking the classes she loves and performing with the Fiddling Finleys. But everything changes when her husband, Hank, retires. She's still trying to adjust to this new phase of her life when he brings home a Honda Gold Wing--even though he knows she hates motorcycles! Things go from bad to worse when he joins the Temple Riders Association, a "Mormon motorcycle gang" that combines road trips with temple work.

Faced with the prospect of being left hebind when Hank rides with his rew friends, Molly starts making some changes of her own.
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Leaning into the Curves offers a delightful view of a little-known group of faithful Latter-day Saints. Full of appealing characters and unexpected turns, it gives a new twist to what life can be like after "a certain age"!
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"Funny, touching, and outrageously on the mark. I see a best seller here." Mary McLain

Related Article

Check out Will Some Body Please Explain Retirement to Me by Carroll recently published online, May 19, 2010, under the column line upon line in Meridian Magazine. It's a nice tie in with the book and even features a link to purchase Leaning into the Curves. Mercy! What fun! meridianmagazine.com

"Surprise Packages," third volume in "The Company of Good Women" series

Surprise Packages is the best book of the series! —Erma Carrier-This series is an endearing tribute to women and every kind of love they experience—times three. —Ginger Franz-Click here to purchase, and be sure to stay tuned for the Virtual Book Tour which is coming in August!